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CONSERVATION GROUPS’ COMMENTS
<br />UNCOMPAHGRE FIELD OFFICE RMP AND DEIS
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<br />report was further summarized and reviewed in an Environmental Working Group report,309 and
<br />demonstrates the long-known dangers of employing this technology to extract mineral resources.
<br />
<br />A Congressional Report issued in April 2011 reveals that energy companies have injected
<br />more than 30 million gallons of diesel fuel or diesel mixed with other fluids into the ground
<br />nationwide in the process of fracking to extract natural gas between 2005 and 2009.310 In
<br />Colorado, 1.3 million gallons of fluids containing diesel fuel were used in fracking wells.311 The
<br />EPA has stated that “the use of diesel fuel in fracturing fluids poses the greatest threat” to
<br />underground sources of drinking water.312 According to Congresswoman Diana DeGette of
<br />Colorado, fracking with diesel fuel was done without permits in apparent violation of the Safe
<br />Drinking Water Act.313
<br />
<br />Despite the energy industry’s explanation that a thick layer of bedrock safely separates
<br />the gas-containing rock layer being fractured from ground-water used for drinking and surface
<br />water sources, evidence is emerging which warns that contaminants from gas wells are making
<br />their way into groundwater. Evidence suggesting contaminants from drilling and fracking
<br />operations have contaminated drinking water includes:
<br />
<br />• In March 2004, gas was discovered bubbling up in West Divide Creek. The Colorado
<br />Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (“COGCC”) took samples of the water and
<br />
<br />the Exploration, Development, and Production of Crude Oil, Natural Gas, and Geothermal
<br />Energy (Dec. 1987), at Ch. IV, Damages Caused by Oil and Gas Operations (attached as Exhibit
<br />169); see also Drilling Down, Documents: A Case of Fracking Related Contamination, THE NEW
<br />YORK TIMES ONLINE, available at: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/us/drilling-down-
<br />documents-7.html?_r=1& (last visited Oct. 27, 2016). 309 See Environmental Working Group, Cracks in the Façade: 25 Years ago, EPA Linked
<br />“Fracking” to Contamination (Aug. 2011) (attached as Exhibit 170). 310 U.S. CONGRESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE,
<br />Chemicals Used in Hydraulic Fracturing (April 2011), at 10 (attached as Exhibit 171); see also
<br />Memorandum from Chairman Henry A. Waxman and Subcommittee Chairman Edward J.
<br />Markey, to Committee on Energy and Commerce, Examining the Potential Impact of Hydraulic
<br />Fracturing (Feb. 18, 2010) (attached as Exhibit 172). 311 Karen Frantz, States probe use of diesel fuel, DURANGO HERALD, February 5, 2011, available
<br />at: http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20110206/NEWS01/702069922/-1/s. 312 David O. Williams, U.S. House probe alleges Halliburton, others illegally used diesel in gas
<br />fracking, COLORADO INDEPENDENT, February 1, 2011, available at:
<br />http://coloradoindependent.com/73593/u-s-house-probe-alleges-halliburton-others-illegally-
<br />used-diesel-in-gas-fracking. 313 Letter from U.S. CONGRESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND
<br />COMMERCE, Representatives Henry A. Waxman, Edward J. Markey, & Diana DeGette, to Lisa
<br />Jackson, Administrator, U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (Jan. 31, 2011), available
<br />at: http://degette.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/energy-commerce-committee-fracking-
<br />investigation-reveals-millions-of (attached as Exhibit 173); see also Environment News Service,
<br />Toxic Diesel Fuel Used Without Permits in Fracking Operations, February 4, 2011, available at:
<br />http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/feb2011/2011-02-04-092.html.
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